I responded to the Manifesto by sending copies of the below letter and the Manifesto to The only commercial newspaper in Milwaukee, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinal , The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle and The Shepherd Express a regional Wisconsin paper, 55,000 circulation) which reads as follows:
My name is John Gilman. I am responding to the Jewish Manifesto Against Sharon. I am an American Jew. I am a veteran of WWII and was in the invasion against Hitler’s Nazism on June 10, 1944. I fought nine very rough months in this war as machine gunner and saw firsthand the atrocities of Hitlerism against the Jews and other nationalities. I was wounded twice and even though leaving the hospital in England, I volunteered to return to the front lines. I was back on the front with my Division, the 9th Infantry, 39th Regiment H Company once again fighting the Nazis. I continued the fight and met and linked up with the Soviet Armies at the end of the war. (I might mention that prior to entering military service, I was completely exempt from military service since I was working in the Huntsville, Alabama Arsenal producing mustard gas. I asked to be relieved to join the combat forces fighting against fascism.)
I received the following metals and commendations from the U.S. Army: The Distinguished Service Cross The Silver Star The Bronze Star Two Purple Hearts The Presidential Unit Citation The Combat Infantry Badge The Overseas Medal The Medal of Occupation The Good Conduct Medal Four Battle Stars for four of the five campaigns. I cite the medals and commendations to illustrate that I am fully qualified to know what war is all about and to the terrible tragedies that war has placed on humanity.
So I have placed my name as a signatory to stop this cruel and senseless war between the people of Israel and Palestine, to have Ariel Sharon removed from Israel and tried as a criminal against humanity. Sincerely, John Gilman